Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Patho > Immunity > Flashcards

Immunity Flashcards

(100 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the purpose of the acute inflammatory response?

A

1) Neutralize and destroy harmful agent
2) Localize injury
3) Allow healing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the cardinal signs of inflammation?

A

1) heat
2) redness
3) swelling
4) pain
5) +/- loss of function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What factors determine the intensity and extent of the inflammatory response?

A

1) the severity of the injury
2) the reactive capability of the host

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the five causes of inflammation?

A

1) surgery or physical trauma - mechanical injury
2) UV/radiation
3) chemicals
4) microbes/bugs
5) ischemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the 3 events of the inflammatory process?

A

1) release of chemical mediators
2) vascular response
3) cellular response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the key properties of the acute inflammatory response?

A
  • non-specific
  • no memory is created
  • short duration (8-10 days)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the five chemical mediators involved in AIR?

A

1) histamine
2) leukotriene
3) prostaglandin
4) bradykinin
5) platelet activating factor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is inflammation?

A

A homeostatic process that is activated by cellular injury - regardless of the mechanism of injury.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the properties of histamine?

A
  • 1st and most abundant mediator released *
    Derived from mast cells (connective tissue - skin, respiratory, GI)
    Involved in allergic reactions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the effects of histamine?

A

Vasodilation
Endothelial cell retraction = increased CMP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How are prostaglandins produced?

A

Produced via cellular injury:
Injured cells release arachadonic acid — processed via cyclo-oxygenase pathway — results in prostaglandins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the effects of prostaglandins?

A

Vasodilation
Increased CMP
Chemotaxis
Pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How are leukotrienes produced?

A

Produced via cellular injury;
Arachadonic acid is processed via lipo-oxygenase pathway— results in leukotriene production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the effects of leukotrienes?

A

Chemotaxis
Increased CMP
Neutrophil aggregation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the properties of bradykinin?

A

Plasma protein produced via the kinin cascade - injured cells release clotting factors (Hageman factor)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the effects of bradykinin?

A

Vasodilation
Endothelial cell retraction = increased CMP
Chemotaxis
Pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Which five cells release platelet activating factor?

A

Mast cells
Neutrophils
Monocytes
Endothelial cells
Platelets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the effects of platelet activating factor?

A

Increased CMP
Platelet activation
Leukocyte adhesion to endothelium (allows them to stick to area of cellular injury)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the five steps of the vascular response (AIR)?

A

1) vasoconstriction
2) vasodilation
3) increased increased capillary membrane permeability
4) platelet adhesion
5) slowed circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Explain the vasoconstriction step in the vascular response (AIR)

A

Occurs briefly and immediately after injury – is a mechanism to prevent bloodloss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Explain the vasodilation step in the vascular response (AIR)

A

Occurs due to release of chemical mediators - histamine, prostaglandin, bradykinin
Purpose: to increase blood flow to the site of injury
Increased blood flow increases hydrostatic pressure = results in fluid being pushed out of the vasculature (swelling)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Explain the step of increased capillary membrane permeability in the vascular response (AIR).

A

Occurs due to the release of chemical mediators that cause endothelial cell retraction - histamine and bradykinin
Purpose: dilute toxins if present and shift plasma fluid out of the vasculature into the interstitial space
Result: increased blood viscosity, WBC emigration to site of injury
edema, pain, +/- loss of function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Explain the platelet adhesion step of the vascular response (AIR).

A

Platelets move to site of injury and stick to exposed collagen of vasculature - coagulation occurs
Purpose: clot formation to localize injury and prevent spread of pathogen
Also prevents widespread/systemic inflammatory response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Explain the slowed circulation step of the vascular response (AIR).

A

Fluid shift caused by vasodilation and increased CMP = increased blood viscosity which slows blood flow
Purpose: allows WBCs to marginate and get to site of injury to start cellular response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the four steps of the cellular response (AIR)?
1) margination & pavementing 2) emigration of WBCs via diapedesis 3) chemotaxis 4) phagocytosis
26
Explain the step of margination and pavementing in the cellular response (AIR).
Pavementing: the cobblestone appearance from neutrophils and monocytes migrating along the vessel wall Facilitated by selectin
27
What is selectin?
An adhesion protein presented by endothelial cells to facilitate margination
28
How is pavementing different from the normal physiological relationship between blood cells and the endothelium?
Endothelial cells normally produce nitric oxide to repel blood cells away from vessel walls **response in inhibited during AIR
29
Explain the emigration of WBCs during the cellular response of AIR.
Neutrophils and monocytes pass through the capillary wall (made possible by endothelial cell retraction) to get to the site of injury
30
What is diapedesis?
Process of the WBC leaving the vasculature -- WBC sticks its foot our through the gaps in the capillary wall from endothelial cell retraction
31
What is integrin?
An adhesion molecule on the WBCs surface - it binds to selectin on endothelial cells Helps to catch the WBCs so they can leave the vasculature
32
Explain the step of chemotaxis in the cellular response of AIR.
Chemotaxis: the process of WBCs being drawn to the site of injury Occurs due to release of chemical mediators - prostaglandin, bradykinin, leukotriene
33
Explain the step of phagocytosis in the cellular response of AIR.
The 4-step process of phagocytes (neutrophils and monocytes) ingesting and destroying antigens/microorganisms/debris
34
What are the four steps of phagocytosis?
RAID Recognition Attachment Ingestion Digestion
35
Explain the recognition step of phagocytosis.
Phagocyte must recognize the pathogen/antigen as foreign Accomplished through: (PAMP) pathogen associated molecular patterns (PRR) pathogen recognition receptors or antibodies
36
Explain the attachment step of phagocytosis.
Phagocyte attaches to surface of pathogen via opsonization or binding sites
37
What is opsonization?
The process of covering an antigen with opsonins (immunoglobulins and complement C3b) to make it more susceptible for phagocyte ingestion because they provide more binding sites for attachment ** increases effectiveness of phagocytosis **
38
What is an opsonin?
A normally inactive protein in the bloodstream that is activated with the activation of the complement system
39
Explain the ingestion step of phagocytosis.
The cell membrane of the phagocyte extends projections (pseudopods) that wrap around the bacteria, then meet and fuse to encapsulate the bacteria in a phagosome
40
Explain the digestion step of phagocytosis.
The phagosome fuses with lysosomes creating a digestive vacuole called a phagolysosome Lysosomes destroy the antigen Antigen is broken down into small protein fragments and spit out via exocytosis
41
What is the phagocyte called after phagocytosis has occurred?
An antigen presenting cell Displays some of the protein fragments on the cell surface (MHC 2) so that B cells and T cells can recognize it and begin building immunity to that antigen
42
What is the purpose of the complement system?
To complement/enhance the immune system in localizing and destroying foreign agents
43
How is the complement system activated?
Complement proteins normally circulate in the blood in inactive form Activated via one of two pathways: Classic pathway - requires an antibody-antigen complex Alternative pathway - bacterial endotoxins
44
What is the classic pathway?
Requires an antibody-antigen complex Usually occurs during a second exposure to an antigen as the immune system has had the opportunity to create antibodies
45
What is the alternative pathway?
Triggered by endotoxins, cell wall fragments, etc.
46
What are the three ways the complement system enhances the inflammatory response?
1) chemotaxis and mast cell degranulation 2) Opsonization 3) membrane attack complex (MAC)
47
What is the complement protein most important in opsonization?
C3b
48
What are the complement proteins most important in MAC?
C5 through C9
49
Explain the process of membrane attack complex (MAC)?
Complement proteins C5-C9 form ring-like structure, punches holes in bacterial cell membrane, allows sodium and water to rush into the cell Results in lysis of the cell
50
What is self-tolerance?
The ability of the immune system to differentiate between self and non-self.
51
What are the key cells in adaptive/specific immunity?
Lymphocytes -- T cells and B cells
52
What two properties distinguish immunity from non-specific defenses?
Specificity: the ability to create immunity for specific antigens Memory: ability to remember an antigen and mount a faster and more intense response in subsequent exposures
53
What is a major histocompatability complex (MHC)?
A molecule on the cell's surface that is used to display self or foreign antigens Can be classified into two groups, MHC1 and MHC2 Can also be called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)
54
What are the function and properties of MHC 1?
Function: presents self-antigen Involved in cell-mediated immunity -- T-cytotoxic cells (CD8) look for cells that are supposed to but are no longer displaying self-antigen
55
What are the function and properties of MHC 2?
Function: presents foreign antigen (APC) Involved in humoral immunity -- T-helper cells (CD4) look for APCs displaying non-self antigens
56
What are the three types of T-cells involved in adaptive immunity?
T-helper cells (CD4) T-cytotoxic cells (CD8) T-suppressor cells
57
What are the two kinds of lymphocytes involved in adaptive immunity?
T Cells and B Cells
58
What are the two kinds of immune responses involved in adaptive immunity?
Humoral and cell-mediated
59
Where do T-cells mature and differentiate?
Thymus gland
60
Where do B-cells mature?
Bone marrow
61
What is the role of T-cells in adaptive immunity?
T-helper and T-suppressor cells are regulatory cells -- they regulate the activities of other cells T-cytotoxic cells are effector cells -- they have a direct effect (cell death) on cells
62
What is the role of B-cells in adaptive immunity?
Produce antibodies (via plasma cells) and memory cells
63
What is an antigen?
Any foreign substance that can elicit an immune response when introduced to the body
64
What is immunogenicity?
The ability to provoke an immune response Influenced by 3 factors -- foreign, size and complexity, quantity
65
What are the three factors that influence the immunogenicity of an antigen?
1) how foreign the antigen is 2) the size and complexity of the antigen 3) the quantity of the antigen
66
What is reactivity?
The ability of an antigen to react specifically with produced antibodies.
67
What is an antigenic determinant?
** also called and epitope ** The specific binding area on an antigen that determines the type of antibody created The variation in epitopes determines the complexity of an antigen, and the complexity of the antibodies created for that antigen.
68
What is a hapten?
A small molecule that cannot elicit an immune response without coupling with a protein carrier
69
What is an antibody?
A protein produced by the body (plasma/B cells) in response to an antigen that should only combine specifically with that antigen ** also called an immunoglobulin **
70
Describe the basic structure of an antibody.
All have the same basic structure -- is Y-shaped that's formed by two identical light chains and two identical heavy chains
71
Describe the variable region of the antibody.
The tips of the heavy and light chains that form the antigen binding site = FAB - antigen binding fragment Is different for each kind of antibody
72
What is the constant fragment?
The stem of the antibody that determines which class it belongs to = determines the characteristics
73
What is the purpose of the hinge?
Gives flexibility to the antibody so it can attach to antigens a distance apart
74
What are the five main classes of antibodies?
IgG IgM IgE IgA IgD
75
Which is the smallest and most abundant antibody class?
IgG makes up 75-80% of Ig concentration
76
Which class has the largest antibody?
IgM [M for massive] Why it's only found intravascularly - it's too large to escape
77
Which class of antibodies is associated with allergic reactions and parasitic infections?
IgE why it has a variable concentration amount
78
What class of antibodies is found in secretions?
IgA [nurses scream AAAAAA when they see secretions]
79
What is the physiological role of IgG?
Phagocytosis Complement system Neutralize toxins
80
What is the physiological role of IgM?
Is the initial response to an antigen [they're so big so they tons of binding sites]
81
What is the physiological role of IgA?
Provides localized protection of mucous membranes
82
Which two classes of antibodies can be transferred to offspring?
IgG - transfers via placenta IgA - transfers via colostrum
83
What makes the structure of IgA different from the other antibody classes?
Contains a secretory piece Has two basic units - dimer
84
Which classes of antibodies are monomers?
IgG, IgE, IgD
85
How many basic units does the antibody class IgM have?
five - pentameter
86
What is the function of IgD?
Unknown - theory is that it's involved in the maturation and differentiation of B cells Only makes up <1% of total Ig concentration
87
What are the four main functions of antibodies?
1) Agglutination 2) Neutralization 3) Opsonization 4) Complement system activation via classic pathway
88
Explain agglutination of antibodies and describe the two ways it benefits the immune response?
Allows antibodies to stick together -- when they're clumped together: - more recognizable to macrophages - allow for phagocytosis of large clumps of antigens
89
What is neutralization?
Antibodies attach to viruses and toxins to prevent the spread of toxins Prevents damage to surrounding tissues
90
What is humoral immunity?
The immune response used against bacteria and free viruses
91
What is the main cell type in humoral immunity?
B cells
92
What is the goal of humoral immunity?
Antibody production
93
What is a T-independent antigen?
An antigen that is capable of stimulating B cells without the help of T-helper cells
94
What is a T-dependent antigen?
Antigens that require T-helper cells to activate B cells
95
What are the classifications of humoral immunity?
Active and Passive Immunity
96
What is active humoral immunity?
Immunity that results from active production of antibodies Is long-lasting
97
What are the two subtypes of active humoral immunity?
Natural active immunity - person contracts disease Acquired active immunity - person receives vaccine
98
What is passive humoral immunity?
The transfer of a specific antibody from a donor to a host -- does not involve the host's immune response Is short-lived because memory isn't created from the exposure
99
What are the two subtypes of passive humoral immunity?
Natural passive immunity - transfer of antibodies from mom to newborn/fetus Artificial passive immunity - transfer of antibodies from immune person to susceptible person
100
What is the cell-mediated response?
Immunity against foreign cells - involves T-cytotoxic cells No antibodies are produced

Patho (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions